I have attended Winnebago County Board meetings both virtually and in person for the past six months and regularly spoken during public comment, including on issues like taxation and affordable housing, giving me a strong understanding of county challenges. I have also focused on keeping residents informed and engaged through social media.
To address deferred maintenance, the county will eventually need a finalized master plan, potentially consolidating county administration into a single, more efficient building. If affordable and accessible, renewable energy should be considered as part of that process. Funding would likely come from a combination of reserve funds, future budgets, and taxpayer support.
The two most important issues facing Winnebago County are long-term building needs and the property tax levy. Creating a finalized master plan will help address both, guiding future building decisions while keeping the budget and taxes under control.
The Spirit Fund should be invested responsibly to maximize its value. By continuing to grow the fund, it could be used to support large, necessary county projects. Decisions about allocating the fund should be made carefully and cautiously through the budget process, with transparency and the future in mind.
The county plays an important role by supporting and incentivizing housing development rather than directly building units. The recently approved revolving loan fund to expedite housing development is a major step toward addressing the housing shortage over the next decade in Winnebago County.
I am the incumbent County Board Supervisor for District 23 and serve on the Park View Health Center Committee. Professionally, I hold a degree in architectural engineering and have completed extensive continuing education focused on local government and public service. I currently serve as Treasurer for the Town of Omro. In that role, I manage public funds, oversee budgets, and ensure transparency and accountability. That experience has given me a strong understanding of how local government works, and how important it is to be fiscally responsible while still meeting the needs of our residents. As for community, Winnebago County has been my home for 26 years, including 19 years living in District 23. My commitment to serving the community started when my kids were young. I volunteered at their school, led a Girl Scout troop, helped run the local MOPS group at All Saints Church, and taught religion at our church, St. Raphael’s.
Short‑term ways to improve energy use and efficiency include installing LED lighting and occupancy‑sensor controls, adding smart HVAC controls, and making sure our buildings are properly insulated and sealed to prevent energy loss. These simple, practical steps can reduce operating costs without placing additional burden on taxpayers. We know many of our facilities are aging, and soon we’ll need to make decisions about replacing or consolidating buildings. Our long‑term goal should be to invest in energy‑efficient, sustainable facilities. I’m a strong proponent of renewable energy when it makes financial sense, and life‑cycle cost modeling is essential to determine whether upfront investments will pay for themselves through long‑term savings. We have several funding tools available to help make these improvements affordable, including state and federal grants, Focus on Energy incentives, energy‑savings performance contracts, and capital improvement planning.
Many county facilities are aging and need long-term attention, and delaying maintenance only increases future costs. In the next term we need to address this challenge with responsible, long‑term planning that evaluates current conditions, prioritizes needed improvements, and invests in solutions that do not place the full financial burden on taxpayers. Protecting our natural resources is equally critical. Winnebago County has the largest inland surface water area of any county in Wisconsin. Our lakes and rivers provide clean drinking water, support healthy fish habitat, and offer beautiful places for families to boat, fish, and swim. Safeguarding these resources is essential to our quality of life and our local economy. I support efforts to strengthen water quality, reduce pollution and runoff, and preserve the natural habitats that make our waterways such an important part of our community.
The Spirit funds come from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a one‑time federal investment designed to help state and local governments recover and strengthen their operations. To manage Winnebago County’s share, the County Board created the ARPA Strategy and Outcomes Commission to ensure those dollars are used responsibly and transparently. Because of the restrictions tied to the remaining funds, my understanding is that the unappropriated $9.4 million must be directed toward County government projects.
Putting these dollars into long‑overdue capital improvements and deferred‑maintenance projects would not only address pressing needs but also position the County for stronger, more efficient operations in the years ahead.
Winnebago County’s housing challenge is often described as a shortage of units, but the deeper issue is the cost of housing. Even if more homes were available, many renters can’t save for a down payment because so much of their income goes toward rent. And when new housing is discussed, the focus is often on developing farmland, even though we already have urban areas with existing infrastructure that could be revitalized.
Stronger county programs could help lower housing costs while reinvesting in these older neighborhoods. That includes first‑time homebuyer assistance programs, grants to rehabilitate existing homes, and the rebuilding/rezoning of urban areas to create medium-density housing. The county also needs to strengthen programs that help residents stay housed and avoid displacement.
